Looking for somewhere to get a scrumptious Sunday lunch in Whitby?
Of course, this charming and immensely popular Yorkshire coastal town is best known for its historic abbey, bustling harbour and sandy beaches but it’s also home to some utterly superb eateries. When thinking about eating out in Whitby, one instantly thinks of the town’s award-winning fish & chip restaurants and traditional cafes but did you know that there are also a great number of places where you can enjoy a traditional Sunday lunch in Whitby? Whitby boasts a whole host of historic inns and contemporary restaurants serving menus of hearty home-cooked food. Finding somewhere to get the obligatory roast dinner on a Sunday afternoon can be tricky with so many excellent options to choose from.
To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve put together a guide to some of the best places to get Sunday lunch in Whitby…
Where To Get Sunday Lunch in Whitby
The White Horse and Griffin
87 Church Street, Whitby YO22 4BH
The White Horse & Griffin on Whitby’s iconic Church Street boasts a rich and fascinating history. Built by Sir Hugh Cholmley in 1681, it was the first coaching inn from Whitby to York and London. Explorers Captain James Cook and William Scoresby often used the building as a meeting place, hiring and fixing their crews from the inn. For decades following its closure on the day of the first naval battle of the Second World War in 1939, the White Horse & Griffin remained derelict and was only used as a storage place for fishing equipment.
After an extension and an 11-year restoration process, the White Horse & Griffin reopened its doors in 1993. Boasting 10 en-suite double rooms, a superb restaurant and breathtaking interiors which showcase some of the building’s striking period features, it offers visitors an insight into Whitby’s vibrant maritime past as well as a memorable hospitality experience.
The team at the White Horse & Griffin base their menus around local produce and the venue is known locally for providing high quality, no-frills food and excellent service.
Sunday lunch at the charismatic White Horse & Griffin is priced at £16 for a traditional roast dinner with all the trimmings. Expect succulent slithers of North Yorkshire beef with fluffy Yorkshire Puddings, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, roasted carrots, seasonal veg and gravy. There’s a vegetarian roast too, in the form of a charred cauliflower steak with caramelized onion gravy plus, a small number of alternative options for those who don’t fancy a roast dinner.
Duke of York
124 Church Street, Whitby YO22 4DE
The Duke of York is situated at the base of Whitby’s famous 199 steps and offers excellent views across the harbour. This cosy and traditional pub has been serving the residents of Whitby for hundreds of years and in 2022, it became part of the Stonegate Group. The company invested over £900,000 into the Duke of York, extending the number of guest rooms from three to eight and refurbishing and redecorating throughout.
The Duke of York is one of Whitby’s many dog-friendly inns. Visitors can drink and dine with their four-legged companions whilst gaining an insight into the building’s history, through the interesting pictures and memorabilia mounted on the walls of the bar.
The food menu is extensive with countless British classics and pub grub favourites on offer plus an excellent kids menu which enables children to enjoy a main and dessert for just £4.49. The Duke of York is well worth considering if you are seeking a more budget-friendly Sunday lunch in Whitby. Prices start at just £10.99 and options include Roast Loin of Pork, Sirloin of Beef, Hand-carved Turkey and Mushroom Wellington. Each is served with all the expected trimmings and you can get free top-ups of Yorkshire puddings, roasties and gravy. For a taste of each meat, opt for the Triple Roast which is priced at £13.99.
The Wilson Arms
Beacon Way, Sneaton, Whitby YO22 5HS
Housed in a historic Grade II listed building which dates back to the 18th century, The Wilson Arms is just a 3-mile drive away from Whitby in the small village of Sneaton. Although away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre, this family-run country inn offers views down the valley to the harbour and Whitby Abbey. With its exposed timber beams and roaring fires, The Wilson Arms offers a warm and welcoming traditional pub experience. An ideal place to refuel and recuperate following a strenuous coastal walk or a day of sightseeing.
This is another reasonably priced Sunday lunch in Whitby with a full roast dinner costing just £10.95 for a regular portion or £7.95 for a smaller one. There’s always a choice of meats – usually pork, beef, lamb and chicken are all available for hungry diners. Hearty and homecooked, Sunday roasts at The Wilson Arms comprise generous portions of carved meat, creamy mash, roast potatoes, homemade Yorkies, seasonal vegetables and rich gravy.
The White House Inn
Upgang Lane, Whitby YO21 3J
Situated on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park and overlooking Whitby Golf Course, The White House Inn is a family-run inn with much to offer. Its idyllic location means it boasts one of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the Yorkshire coast, which is well worth visiting for alone! However, this friendly North Yorkshire coastal inn also offers 10 well-appointed guest rooms, an excellent bar and a contemporary restaurant serving extensive, ingredient-led menus.
Food is served at The White House Inn from noon each day and the Sunday menu features all manner of tasty starters, mains and desserts alongside a traditional Sunday roast. This Sunday lunch in Whitby is priced at £13 and diners can choose from Roasted Yorkshire ham, beef or turkey to be served with sides including a Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and ‘proper’ thick gravy.
Other main course options on Sundays include Battered East Coast Haddock, Mushroom Stroganoff and Steak, Potato & Real Ale Pie. If you have room for dessert after your mammoth main, there are some truly tempting sweet treats such as Tarte au Citron and Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake
The Windmill Inn
Stainsacre Lane, Stainsacre, Whitby YO22 4NT
The Windmill Inn is a family-run inn situated in the quaint village of Stainsace near Whitby. An intimate accommodation venue with just three letting rooms plus 4 charming shepherd huts, it offers guests a relaxing place to stay at the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. The Windmill Inn has a beer garden with a children’s play area to the rear of the inn so it’s an excellent choice for families looking for Sunday lunch in Whitby.
Food is served at this welcoming country pub between the hours of 12 pm and 2:30 pm for lunch and 6 pm and 8:30 pm for dinner and visitors can choose to dine in the bar area, the 20-seat restaurant space or in the beer garden when weather permits.
You’ll find a simple menu of well-executed food at The Windmill Inn, with all the usual pub grub favourites available. With this Sunday lunch in Whitby, there are four different roast dinners to choose from in addition as well as a couple of main courses like Whitby Scampi and Vegetable Chilli. Prices start at £11.50 for a roast and diners can choose from Roast Topside of Beef, Roast Pork Loin & Crackling, Honey & Mustard Glazed Gammon and a Windmill Nut Roast with Meat-Free Gravy. Each is served with the crispiest of roast potatoes, perfect Yorkshire puds, mashed potatoes, seasonal veg and plenty of gravy. If you don’t want to head straight for the main event, there are a number of starters available including a Classic Prawn Cocktail and Breaded Brie Wedges.
Children can also enjoy roast dinner for just £6.95 but there are other child-size dishes like Chicken Nuggets and Battered Haddock Goujons too.
The Links Lounge at Whitby Golf Club
Sandsend Road, Whitby YO21 3SR
Situated on the 1st floor of Whitby Golf Club, The Links Lounge is a bright and airy licensed cafe offering panoramic views across the golf course and out to sea. Open to the public and not just to members, it’s a popular spot for those seeking an affordable breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea with a view.
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 am until 4 pm, The Links Lounge serves hot and cold food throughout the day and visitors can expect hearty breakfasts, freshly made sandwiches and toasties plus, a small selection of main meals like Gammon & Chips. All the food is all reasonably priced at The Links Lounge. A full breakfast costs under a tenner and an afternoon tea comprising sandwiches, scones and cakes costs just £12.50 per person.
Sunday lunch is one of The Link Lounge’s most popular offerings; second only to their fantastic ‘Fish Friday’. Served from 12 pm until 3 pm, this Sunday lunch in Whitby will cost you £12.95 per person and you’ll get generous portions of tender beef, turkey or gammon served with all the expected trimmings.
The Dolphin Hotel
Bridge Street, Whitby YO22 4BG
The Dolphin is a traditional pub in the centre of Whitby with six comfortable guest rooms. Being in a prime location on Bridge Street, the friendly venue offers gorgeous views across the harbour which guests can appreciate from their rooms or from the homely downstairs bar. Open daily from 12 pm until 11 pm, The Dolphin serves multiple menus of traditional pub food made using local ingredients where possible.
The main menu features all-time favourites like Fish & Chips, pies and burgers whilst their curry menu is packed with Indian-inspired starters, sides and mains including an enormous Chicken Tikka Thali. Breakfast and brunch are also available and The Dolphin offers numerous mouthwatering ways to start the day.
Those seeking a Sunday lunch in Whitby town centre can’t go wrong with a home-cooked roast at The Dolphin. Options include Belly Pork & Crackling, Topside of Beef, Roast Chicken & Stuffing plus, a Butternut Squash & Lentil Wellington. Each roast costs £13.95 and is served with all the traditional trimmings. Additional sides of roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, pigs in blankets and Yorkshire puddings are also available for £1.50 – £3.95 each.
As with all our articles of this nature, we’ll be adding to this list as and when we discover or are introduced to other businesses. If you would like to recommend your favourite place for Sunday lunch in Whitby or request our media kit, please email business@theyorkshirepress.co.uk
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